LABOUR & BIRTH SUPPORT (Birth Doula)
*** currently only taking existing massage clients for labour support, or by referral ***
WHAT IS LABOUR SUPPORT?
Labour support services provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) are similar to those of a birth doula. We provide pain management, relaxation techniques, partner education and support, and help you advocate for your health and birthing preferences. Doulas and labour support persons are here to support you with whatever decisions you make about your health and birth. As a regulated profession in the province of BC, labour support provided by an RMT may be reimbursed by extended health coverage, and is considered a tax deductible medical expense according to the CRA.
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
If you are not already a patient of mine, we can arrange a 15 minute phone call to answer any of your questions regarding what labour support is at no charge. This is also a great way to see if we are a good match for each other! If you are already a patient of mine, feel free to ask about my labour support services during your treatment. Likewise, you may also schedule a 15 minute phone consult if you prefer.
HOW TO HIRE ME FOR SUPPORT
When you have decided that you'd like to go through, a $500 nonrefundable deposit will be required. This deposit includes a 60-minute in person consultation (virtual options available if needed) with both you and your partner to go over your birth preferences, concerns, and any questions you may have about labour and delivery. In addition to this consult, you will be free to contact me at any time should any questions come up for you during this journey. I will be on call for your birth starting from 38 weeks gestation (2 weeks prior to your estimated due date). A postpartum visit within the first week after birth is also included.
PREPARING FOR BIRTH
Before our consultation I encourage you to do some reading and research on common birthing practices to have an idea of what you would like to incorporate during your birth. I have teamed up with My Powerful Birth to offer all my clients $25 off any virtual or in-person childbirth class when you register using code MEAGAN25. If you would like recommendations for other childbirth classes feel free to reach out. Prenatal massage therapy appointments are a great resource for aiding your body as it changes, and during those treatments I can offer advice for homecare to help prepare your body for birth such as stretches, strengthening exercises, and pelvic floor homecare such as self perineal massage to help reduce the risk of tearing. I offer 15% off of five mobile (in-home) massage therapy treatments during pregnancy and up to 3 months postpartum for clients who have committed to having me at their birth. However you are welcome to book in as many as you'd like and see fit.
YOUR BIRTH
The $500 deposit will go towards your labour and birth. My rate during your labour is $130 per hour and will have a maximum cap so if you have a longer labour than anticipated you won't have to worry about racking up an impossible bill. I am offering a sliding scale to make labour and birth support more accessible for those who are facing financial hardships, especially for those who are BIPOC and/or LGBTQ2S+. The maximum cap will be between $1200 and $2000, whichever amount you decide on that fits your budget. This amount must be chosen at the time of deposit. For more information on how to choose a sliding scale option for your financial situation, please contact me directly for guidance.
When you feel as though you are in labour, call me and we will discuss your symptoms and whether I'm needed right away or if it is best for me to wait to arrive until you've progressed a bit more. Please anticipate up to an hour for me to travel to your birthing location.
During labour, I will be there with you and for you for the entire duration of your labour and birth, and will stay with you afterwards until everyone is established, comfortable, and has had a moment to bond with baby, which typically is under an hour.
When you feel as though you are in labour, call me and we will discuss your symptoms and whether I'm needed right away or if it is best for me to wait to arrive until you've progressed a bit more. Please anticipate up to an hour for me to travel to your birthing location.
During labour, I will be there with you and for you for the entire duration of your labour and birth, and will stay with you afterwards until everyone is established, comfortable, and has had a moment to bond with baby, which typically is under an hour.
POSTPARTUM
A complimentary postpartum visit is included in the first week after birth. I will check in with you and your partner to see how you felt about your birth experience, ask if you have any feedback for me, and if you are in need of any resources such as lactation support or other registered healthcare providers. I will visit for about an hour and can help with whatever is needed for you and your family to be comfortable with the new baby. I will provide you with the invoice at this time which will be due within 30 days of your birth.
For ongoing care, there are various benefits to postpartum massage therapy treatments including assisting with uterine involution (shrinking back to pre-pregnancy size and location), muscle aches from labour or from new ergonomics from carrying baby, helping reduce postpartum swelling, and overall improving mental health and wellbeing. Treatments can be provided at any time postpartum, and will be adjusted based on your presentation.
For ongoing care, there are various benefits to postpartum massage therapy treatments including assisting with uterine involution (shrinking back to pre-pregnancy size and location), muscle aches from labour or from new ergonomics from carrying baby, helping reduce postpartum swelling, and overall improving mental health and wellbeing. Treatments can be provided at any time postpartum, and will be adjusted based on your presentation.
BILLING
The deposit will be due via e-transfer or credit card at the time of signing the contract, and the remaining balance can be paid again by e-transfer or credit card.
Because I am a regulated healthcare professional, labour support services will be billed as an RMT service meaning that your extended insurance may reimburse part of the expense if you have massage therapy coverage. I do not offer direct billing for labour support. You may need to call your insurance company directly to apply for reimbursement as most plans will have a maximum allowance per session. If you are unable to submit to your extended health, Registered Massage Therapy is tax deductible as a medical expense according to the CRA.
Because I am a regulated healthcare professional, labour support services will be billed as an RMT service meaning that your extended insurance may reimburse part of the expense if you have massage therapy coverage. I do not offer direct billing for labour support. You may need to call your insurance company directly to apply for reimbursement as most plans will have a maximum allowance per session. If you are unable to submit to your extended health, Registered Massage Therapy is tax deductible as a medical expense according to the CRA.
BACKING OUT
Should you decide that you no longer want my labour support services, the deposit is nonrefundable however you will still have access to contact me with any questions, and the discounted treatments still apply. If you give birth before 38 weeks, I may not be able to attend your birth but will still visit you in the first week of postpartum to check in and provide resources if needed.
If you discover that your pregnancy is no longer viable, I have taken coursework in miscarriage and abortion support and can accompany you through the process at no extra charge.
If you discover that your pregnancy is no longer viable, I have taken coursework in miscarriage and abortion support and can accompany you through the process at no extra charge.
IN CONCLUSION
- complimentary 15 minute phone consultation (optional)
- $500 deposit, used toward your birth
- 60 minute consultation for your birth plan
- 15% off five mobile (in-home) prenatal or postpartum RMT treatments
- available to answer your questions and concerns throughout your pregnancy, and on call for you 2 weeks prior to due date
- $130 per hour during labour, capped at a predetermined amount between $1200 and $2000
- complimentary postpartum check-in within the first week after giving birth
Mobile massage during labour.
If you would like me to come to your birth and provide massage therapy, but you don’t necessarily want a birth doula or to have me at your entire birth, please contact me directly to discuss options. I can travel to your home or hospital and provide mobile massage therapy starting at $145 per hour.